Chapter 4- The Fourth Quarter Quell.

I could feel a bruise forming on my knee cap as I repeatedly knocked it against the underside of the wooden table. I couldn't stop though; it was like a nervous tick. It was uncontrollable but reassuring... I had never been in the Justice building before and this was the last scenario I would have wanted to have put me in it. But what could I do, this was how it was and now we were just waiting to say our goodbyes.

Ajax was pacing the room, his footsteps the only noise in the room. Why were they taking so long?! While waiting I surveyed our room. It was quite small with a dungy green plastered to all four walls, the carpet was a gritty looking brown and on top of it sat a sofa, tea table and a lamp that was just taller than me. I was sat on the sofa.

BANG!

I jumped and looked over to where Ajax was standing; both his fists and forehead were pressed against the wall, his back was hunched. I could see the muscles in his back were tense with the force he had just impacted on the wall.

'Ow' He mumbled. His face was hidden away from me but I could hear his voice was thick with frustration. Just as I was about to tell him to sit down the door flew open and standing where it was, was Aurora. Her cheeks were wet with tears and her eyes clouded with grief. She pulled a faint smile at me before turning towards Ajax.

Ajax raised his head and turned towards her. All anger and frustration left his eyes as they fixed on her. She ran towards him and they embraced until the peacekeeper came in to tell them their time was up.

'Come back' her voice rose at the end as though she was asking a question.

Ajax nodded numbly before kissing her on the forehead. Then she turned towards me like she had forgotten I was even in the room. She came over and ruffled my hair.

'Take care of him kiddo' I scowled at her before patting down my hair again. With that she was gone.

Aurora and Ajax had been a couple for a year. I always found it awkward because Aurora was my best friend Nat's sister and I had had a crush on her before Ajax ever met her... Any way speaking of best friends, Nat was our next visitor. He had a sad look on his face but managed to crack out a jokey smile. He came over and locked me in a headlock.

'You won't last a day without me' He growled letting me go. Nat was one of your typical careers: strong, skilled and charming... well when he wants to be.

'Thanks' I mumbled before punching him playfully on the shoulder.

'I'm going to miss you, but with you gone, Missy is all mine' He laughed, then put on a serious face 'But don't worry your little cotton socks about, you just need to focus on getting back home' he held his hand out expecting me to shake it farewell. As if. I gave him a hug and in return he grunted with disgust.

'You know you love it' I teased before he turned and ran out the room glancing behind only to snarl at me.

'What a pleasure he is!' Ajax said, obviously his mood had brightened since seeing Aurora

'Where's mu...' I was cut off by a soft but persistent knocking at the door. Styler.

'You can come in' Ajax snapped also realising who it was as well. Styler poked her head round the door before shuffling in. Mum appeared behind her, her face flustered and serious.

'Nice of you to show your face' Ajax spat. His eyes narrowed at Mum. With that her face crumpled and the tears began to flow. It hurt me to watch her like this; she had always been so strong even when dad died last year after being attacked by a shark.

'That's not fair Ajax' She whimpered looking up at him. 'You don't realise how many people want to come and see you two. They wouldn't even let Missy in and you know how close her and your brother are!'

'What?!' I shrieked 'Why won't they let her in' Missy was my first friend I had. Our relationship was complicated though: I constantly had a crush on her but she never felt the same way. I couldn't stand the idea that I might never see her again.

'I'm sorry' she cooed 'But that is just the way it is, there is nothing I can do!' she continued 'Promise me you will keep each other safe' She hugged us both, and then just stared at us unsure what else to do.

'I love you two, no matter how annoying you can be sometimes' Styler whispered into the silence.

'Annoying, look who is talking now!' I scoffed looking at her with mock disbelief.

'Come here' Ajax said softly scooping her into a hug, then scooping me and mum in too. We stood there hugging until Mum and Styler were literally ripped off of us by the peacekeepers. Ajax and I stood in silence before he said...

'I'm going to get us out of this alive'

I really wanted to believe him.

[-]

'When are they going to let us out of this room? No one's coming' I shouted at my snivelling wreck of a sister, I felt bad about letting my anger out on her but she was the only one here. We had been here for ten minutes already and it wasn't like we had any family to come bid us far well! I wasn't very popular and Tousa had lost many friends from defending me all the time. I was grateful but it wasn't her fault she had a bitch for a sister.

I jumped when an unexpected knock came at the door. Tousa grinned and gave me a knowing look before taking three deep breaths to calm herself down then opening the door. Crooks stood in the doorway a stony expression set on his face. He took a deep breath like Tousa had just done before. I could tell what was coming, a rant/lecture/speech... whatever you want to call it!

'Listen, Tousa I love you and I always have. I don't know why I never said it before. I should have but I was Fool. I wanted you to know that just because well, I might never see you again. I remember when I first knew I loved you. It was Christmas and you were sat under the Christmas tree your hair gleaming in the lights and then when you saw me your whole face lit up too. You were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen...' I couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into laughter. He was just hysterical. Love what does he know about love? Just like that my laughter was replaced with anger. He didn't know what it was like to watch the person you love most in life die in front of your eyes, slowly and painfully. That when death finally comes you see it as mercy. He was just an idiot.

My laughter was replaced by salty tears. Tousa ignored Crooks and came over to hold me like she always did when I was crying. Sad to say I didn't do the same for her.

'I'm sorry, but what did I do?' Crooks asked, faking concern.

'Nothing' I screamed at him. 'Just leave no-one wants you here. Just leave, please just leave' Crooks looked at Tousa in confusion. She shook her head then blew him a kiss signalling that it was best he left. Crooks sighed then slouched off mumbling to himself.

'You were thinking of mother weren't you' Tousa whispered. I nodded struggling to hold back my tears. 'Shh' she whispered stroking my hair.

I cleaned myself up just in time for the peacekeepers who lead us to the train. Tousa and I both put on brave faces. We didn't want to look like the weak ones because we probably were.

Thank you to my one reviewer, I would like to dedicate the next chapter to you for your support. Sorry it took so long but I have had a busy week. Anyone else want to review you know the call. Please it would mean a lot...

Peace out Otterly